Most of us overlook indoor air quality. While leading an active life, we often spend more time indoors than outdoors. A study conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says that Americans spend about 90% of their time indoors. So, maintaining good indoor air quality is important, as you spend most of your time indoors. In this article, we will discuss the importance of good indoor air quality and its benefits.
The air quality in your home is referred to as indoor air quality. It is measured by observing the concentration of pollen, spores, dust, VOCs, carbon monoxide, and other harmful gases. If any of these components are present in high concentrations, then there is a risk of developing allergies, headaches, asthma, dizziness, and fatigue. Good air quality creates a better place for you to breathe and be more comfortable in your home.
Acting swiftly to improve the air quality is important for better comfort and health. You can identify poor air quality in your home with some symptoms in your body. Eye and nose irritation, asthma, and nausea are some of the symptoms. If you are working in a place where the ventilation is poor, you may have severe symptoms. Some signs of this issue are odors, stuffy air, more humidity, mold, dust, etc.
There are several reasons indoor air becomes polluted. Some of the common ones are dust, pet dander, chemicals, VOCs from paints and furniture, pollen, furnace emissions, and bacterial and fungal growth due to water damage in the home. If there is proper air filtration or ventilation, all these can build up over time and cause issues.
Even if you are an outdoor person, your house saves you from the external elements. So, you need a comfortable and better place to rest. Below, we have mentioned the benefits of having good indoor air quality.
Most of us ignore the concept of breathing freely until we face an issue. If the air we breathe is contaminated, we fall sick and develop allergies. Even a small amount of pollutants can weaken our health. These days, we also get air conditioners with air purifiers that make breathing easier all year long.
Cleaner air helps us breathe easier and reduces the chances of getting sick. When we feel less stressed, it’s easier to fall asleep. Cooler air also makes it easier for us to sleep because our bodies naturally relax in lower temperatures, and a good air conditioner can make a big difference.
Some people gradually develop a type of inhalant allergy. When we are allergic to something, our body says it can’t handle it. The more you are exposed to allergens, the more likely you will get sick. Having clean indoor air allows your body to recover, helping you feel your best when you go back outside.
A cool indoor environment may not be suitable for mold or germs to develop, so there will not be any bad odors in a cooler environment. A good-quality air filtration system can contribute to a mold, germ, and pollutant-free home.
If the air is free of pollutants, dust, or other particles, an air conditioner can easily cool the room. This results in quick cooling, which results in lower utility bills.
As we mentioned above, 90% of the time, we live indoors. Since the pandemic, people have been working remotely, and most corporate companies have adopted this concept as it is effective. People have moved from agriculture and manufacturing societies to more advanced I.T.-based technologies and services, where most of the time is spent indoors.
The indoor environment is polluted with allergens and other particles that are entered from outside. Certain particles are specific to indoors only, like mold, pet dander, dust, carbon monoxide from firewood, and chemicals from cleaners, paints and appliances, etc.,
Most people make their homes air-tight with minimal ventilation to reduce indoor air pollution. But it can lead to the development of harmful pollutants. The high cost of electricity, gas, and oil has made people more aware of energy costs, affecting indoor air quality. Architects, engineers, and building managers often focus too much on saving energy, sometimes making buildings less comfortable for the people inside. As more people work from home, having multiple computers and printers at home can add to these potentially harmful chemicals in the air.
Outdoor air pollution can enter buildings, and since Americans spend most of their time indoors, they are exposed to outdoor pollution mainly while staying inside. Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University studied air pollution from tiny particles, PM 2.5. These particles are especially concerning for public health because of their small size; they can be inhaled into the lungs and absorbed into the bloodstream.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 13 people have asthma. Since the early 1980s, asthma has become common in people of all ages. Today, over 25 million Americans have asthma, which includes 7.7% of adults and 8.4% of children. Asthma is the most common long-term disease in children. In 2017, about 1 in 12 children had asthma. Currently, around 6.2 million children under 18 have asthma.
The air we breathe is essential to our health. People understand that we should be aware of the quality of the air. With our planet facing serious challenges, it’s become clear how fragile our existence is. The focus on wellness is here to stay, led by a new generation that values health and well-being more than before.
Allergies are the 6th most common long-term illness in the U.S., affecting over 50 million people every year. Allergic rhinitis or Hay fever affects 6.1 million children and 20 million adults. In 2015, 8.8 million children had skin allergies. The reasons for the rise in asthma and allergies aren’t clear, but many explanations exist. It could be a combination of factors like climate change, unhygienic conditions, obesity, sedentary lifestyles, overuse of antibiotics, pollution, and a lack of vitamin D.
Pollen is a fine powder made during the reproduction of many plants. There are three main times of the year when pollen levels are highest. Some types of pollen are very small and can travel deep into the lungs, causing irritation even in people without allergies. High amounts of pollen can spread over long distances and lower air quality. Besides the amount of pollen, higher carbon dioxide levels can make pollen more allergenic. This means that each pollen grain can cause stronger allergy symptoms when it has more allergenic particles on it.
Good indoor air quality can help keep your family healthy by reducing the risk of respiratory problems. It can also eliminate dust and dirt in the air, making your home more comfortable. Additionally, better IAQ can improve the efficiency of your HVAC system by reducing its workload, which can save on energy costs. Ensure your family enjoys the benefits of good indoor air quality by choosing Smart Heating and Air Conditioning. Our expert solutions enhance your comfort and protect your health by reducing allergens and improving airflow. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward a healthier, more comfortable living space!
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